Project Purple Crinnies

After dyeing my crinoline blue in the bathtub, I had advised everyone to do it in their washer. So this last time, I went to my apartment's laundry room to do just that. Unfortunately, the public washer sucks because the hot water was cold. And my crinoline was so huge that it didn't even properly soak the whole thing. I ended up dying my crinoline in the bathtub, AGAIN.

Like before, I soaked my crinoline in the hot bathtub water for about 5 minutes. Then I added Purple Rit dye, this time in the liquid form (last time was Evening Blue in the powder).

Here is my crinoline soaking in the dye after 5 minutes!

I let it soak in there for about 40 minutes. I would scrunch, turn half the crinoline around, and let it soak every 10 minutes or so. This helped ensure that every single part got dye for a good amount of time. Here it is after 40 minutes.

Then I rinsed it in a tub of cold water 3 times, letting it sit for 10 minutes each time.

I hung it up to dry in my bathtub overnight. Look how pretty it is today!

And BAM! Nice and dark purple, just how I wanted it.

I can't wait to wear it! I'm not sure what I would do with these crinnies after the wedding. Anyone interested in buying them?

Note: The only reason I can think of to dye your crinoline in the bathtub instead of the washer (besides being desperate, like I was) is to ensure the color outcome. For example, if I had wanted a very light purple, I think 10 minutes of dye soaking would have been enough. To make sure the color was nice and dark, I added 10 minutes to the recommended 30 minutes. Also note that again, I did not add detergent or salt.

Does anyone else have any crinoline dyeing tips?

Crinoline Blues

I am such a bridal whore. Since I started to plan my wedding, I have begun to slowly collect crinolines. And now I'm up to three. What am I going to do with all these? Well, dye them of course! I finally got off my lazy butt to do a DIY project I should have done a long time ago.

I had gone to my apartment's laundry room after work, only to find out that I must use a card for the machines. Since the office was closed already, I had to turn back home. I was frustrated and wanted to do something. I decided to just do it in my bathtub.

So I filled the bathtub with super hot water, with the knob turned all the way to the right (or left for the rest of you peoples, my shower is backwards).

Then I threw in the crinoline and let it soak for about 5 minutes.

I had boiled some hot water earlier and had poured it into 2 empty water bottles (caution: it is HOT! don't burn your fingers doing this. I placed mine on the sink and poured it carefully into the bottles).

Then, I added to each bottle, a RIT powder in the color Evening Blue.

I shook the bottle a little bit for mixing and poured into different areas of the bathtub (NOT directly onto the fabric!).

With rubber gloves on, I began to swirl the crinny around to help mix the water. I made sure most of it was underwater.

Here was my technique. 1) I would scrunch, swirl, and swish with my rubbered hands for 3 minutes and then let it sit for 3 minutes. 2) Then I would rotate or turn the crinny around 1/4 so that different parts of the crinny would spend time being under water. 3) Then I would repeat 1 and 2 for the next 40 minutes. My knees hurt and my back hurt from doing this. I don't know if I recommend this technique to anyone unless you are desperate. My advice: use the washing machine! Also note that I didn't use any salt or detergent because I was lazy. Good thing it turned out okay!

After 40 minutes, I let all the water drain. Then I added cold water and swished, swirled, and soaked the crinny for another 5-10 minutes. I repeated this process.

Finally, I hung it up to dry overnight. And today, it is so beautiful!

I cannot wait to wear this under my wedding gown!

Here it is next to a pure white crinoline.

My next project is to dye it purple... this time, in the washing machine.

Now... to clean this bathtub. Gah! I realized I didn't have any bleach =( I also realized I didn't have a scrubbing brush. So, I jumped in there, armed with an old toothbrush and shampoo. Nope, didn't work. And I got a battle scar from trying to stand up with the bathtub faucet right on my back... OUCH. Dejected, I ended up just filling the bathtub with hot water and pouring in a whole bunch of dial soap. I let it sit overnight like that. It was a little bit better, but I still must go out and buy some bleach. Blah.

Today's Lesson: Ladies, use the washing machine to dye your crinnies, NOT your bathtub. Unless you are truly desperate, have bleach, and a scrubber. In that case, it is totally worth it. Just don't hit the bathtub faucet with your back.

Did anyone else dye their crinoline?